Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SK)

Mangalore, Mar 10: Jeevandhara social service trust, Kulshekar, here, celebrated International Women’s day on Tuesday March 6 at Sacred Hearts’ English Medium auditorium, Kulshekar, here. The culmination of the programme ended with the submission of memorandum to Dr N S Channappa Gowda IAS, deputy commissioner, Dakshina Kannada district.

Vijaya Laxmi B Shetty, president of Mahila forum,here, inaugurated the programme. In her inaugural speech, she highlighted different types of violence women face from womb to tomb. With the increase of education and awareness, violence and abuses on women are also on the increase. Sabeeha Fathima the sub-editor of Anupama women monthly, called on women to rise from their silent slumber and voice out their views and opinions on different issues that affect their life directly and indirectly. Women need to be assertive and claim their rights.

Narayana Yaji, regional manager of KGVB illustrated the facilities available for women and self help groups from banks in order to increase their economic stability and collective action in groups.

Sr Roselyta B S, secretary of Jeevandhara Social Service Trust presided over the programme.  She greeted the woman present at the occasion and called on everyone to live in human dignity and uphold human dignity in persons.

At the outset Sr Mariola B S, director of Jeevandhara Social Service Trust presented the annual report and highlighted the various activities done towards obtaining development through campaigning, lobbying and advocacy. The importance and effects of social advocacy were upheld in the report. Sr Lisa, superior of Santa Cruz, welcomed the gathering. Sherline and Swetha compeered the programme.

A silent protest march was undertaken from Sacred Hearts’ school to Shakti Nagar Cross, where street theatre was presented by the students of BSW of Roshni Nilaya College, here. The violations faced by women were displayed.

The celebration ended by submitting a memorandum to deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada District, Dr N S Channappa Gowda. Lioness Club president Alice Lobo, Sr Mariola B S, the director of Jeevandhara Trust and few others were present to offer the memorandum. The memorandum highlighted the grievances that women face in public distribution system and social security schemes.

Many deserving households do not possess a below poverty line card. The public distribution system in Karnataka is not as per the Supreme Court orders on the Right to Food case. The interim orders of the Supreme Court are not followed and there is corruption, delay, and malpractice in carrying out the objectives. Hence it is a clarion call to teach people to know their rights and to learn to monitor the food schemes in our area. The social security schemes do not reach people in due course of time. The amount that is distributed for national old age pension scheme, national family benefit scheme, and pension for widows and persons with disability is very meager in this era of price hike and competition.

Hence it is very important to implement the food schemes and eradicate poverty and bestow dignity to every person specially women.